SIKESTON - The Missouri Department of Transportation and City of Jackson held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Route 25 - South Elementary improvements on Thursday, September 9. The ceremony began at 1 p.m. at South Elementary school in Jackson, Mo.

The project included grading and paving from the Jackson Trail to south of Jackson South Elementary School. Traffic signals were also installed at the Route 25 intersection to help accommodate drivers making left turns.

"We are excited to see this project come to life," said Project Manager Andy Meyer. "After visiting the school last fall and seeing the congestion issues firsthand, U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson secured $650,000 in federal funds to make this project a reality."

Easements necessary for the improvements were donated, and the City of Jackson pro-actively addressed the relocation of city utilities.

In addition to improving Route 25 by adding north and southbound left turn lanes and traffic signals, the school's parking lots have also been reconfigured to include more parking spaces, a wider entrance for improved access and a traffic circle to connect east and south parking areas.

Construction on the project began in May and final installation of signals and testing is scheduled to be completed in September.